Wendy Davis (Senate District 10 – Fort Worth)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Wendy Davis, candidate for Senate District 10 in Tarrant County, is an amazing woman with a truly inspiring story about overcoming adversity. She married young and had a daughter at age 18. The marriage did not last, leaving her as a single mom with no child support. She made ends meet by working as a secretary in a doctor's office and attended paralegal courses at the community college at night. With the help of scholarships, she transferred to Texas Christian University and graduated (the first in her family) as valedictorian of her class. From there, she went on to graduate with honors from Harvard Law School.
Today, she is the CEO of Republic Title’s Fort Worth division and just completed her fourth term on the Fort Worth City Council where she made children, economic development and transportation her top priorities. In addition to receiving a myriad of awards, Wendy has built an extraordinary reputation for being a mediator, a diplomat and an ardent advocate for the community she represented. As a result, she is highly respected on both sides of the political aisle and will bring back to Austin what we are sorely lacking: balance, common sense and a passion for putting Texas families first.
In contrast, after almost twenty years in the Legislature, her opponent Senator Kim Brimer, has a reputation for, well, nothing. A recent poll found that 50% of the voters in SD-10 have never heard of him and of those who had, only 27.4% would vote to re-elect him. Further tainting his reputation are his well-documented ethical lapses, including a scheme to convert special interest campaign contributions to personal use. He consistently toes the ultra-partisan line with Rick Perry and Tom Craddick, doing immeasurable damage to the health, safety and financial security of Texas families.
This race is of tremendous strategic importance because Democrats now hold 11 out of the 31 Texas Senate seats. Because Senate rules require a 2/3rd vote to consider legislation, Wendy’s victory would mean that Democrats could block destructive Republican legislation! We must win this seat to defend against the Republicans’ extremist agenda in 2009 and the inevitable redistricting battle in 2011.
Diana Maldonado (House District 52 – Round Rock)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
As the former Round Rock ISD School Board President, Diana Maldonado is already a well-known champion for public education and community development in Round Rock, the heart of HD 52. Elected city-wide in 2003 and 2006, she was the first Latina to serve as school board president in Round Rock ISD’s history. During her tenure it became one of the highest ranked and fastest growing school districts in Texas. Diana is also an award-winning government efficiency expert with over 20 years experience in the Texas Comptroller’s office. In 2000, while working full-time and raising two teenagers as a single mother, she graduated magna cum laude from St. Edward’s University having earned her degree in business management.
Diana was originally prepared to challenge incumbent Mike Krusee, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and architect of the boondoggled Trans Texas Corridor. But, in late November, just days after Annie’s List official endorsement, Krusee announced he would not seek reelection. As an open seat, we believe that HD-52 has become an even more viable district due to rapid growth and changing demographics as a result of flight from the expensive Austin housing market. Of note, Krusee was re-elected with just 50.5% of the vote in 2006.
Diana enters the 2008 race with a political base in the largest city in the district, Round Rock, and with a record of delivering positive change for her constituents. She has undergone our campaign training, hired a professional team and has already raised a sizable war chest to keep political pundits watching this seat closely. We wholehearted believe in Diana Maldonado and hope you will as well!
Kristi Thibaut (House District 133 – Houston)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Kristi Thibaut is prepared for a rematch with Jim Murphy in 2008! While Kristi fell short in 2006 due to low turnout among the Democratic base, she was extremely successful in persuading moderate Republicans to crossover and vote for her on Election Day.
While the presidential election will guarantee a higher turnout in Harris County, an incredible slate of diverse and qualified candidates (reminiscent of Dallas County’s 2006 successful coordinated strategy) up and down the countywide ballot will boost numbers even more. Kristi has worked to ensure her early viability and has already received critical endorsements – worth over a hundred thousand dollars – that she lacked in her last minute effort in 2006.
Sometimes it takes two or three election cycles for a dedicated challenger to capture a Republican-leaning district, a process that takes patience, commitment and the ability to learn from the past. Kristi and Annie’s List have done that and we encourage you to join us for an exciting round-two battle to put us one seat closer to a Democratic majority.
Carol Kent (House District 102 – Dallas)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
A sixth-generation Texan, Carol Kent is a life-long district resident, she grew up in Garland and has lived in Dallas County for over 30 years. She is a moderate Democrat who understands the changing landscape of the area. Carol and her husband, David, live in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, and all three of their children attended Richardson ISD public schools, kindergarten through 12th grade. Carol's background is in education and she currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Richardson Independent School District and has worked professionally in higher education for 20 years. In Austin, Carol will use her experience to focus on issues that matter to the families in her district. She is committed to improving education, expanding health care coverage for children, lowering college tuition at Texas colleges and universities, improving air quality, and creating new jobs and expanding economic development. But first we need to get her to Austin!
Carol is ready to pick up where Harriet Miller left off and take on the tough fight against the Republican incumbent, who has become a predictable partisan vote who tows the party line of the failed leadership in Austin and who has shown in the past he will resort to low and ethically questionable levels to try to beat his opponent. It will be a tough challenge and Carol will need the supportof Democrats in her district and around the state to beat incumbent Tony Goolsby. Goolsby has managed to hold onto his seat the past two cycles, but the make-up of the district has continued to change, becoming more blue along with the rest of Dallas County. This along with past possible voter suppression efforts and current legal action against him, however, make Goolsby more vulnerable than ever. Carol is ready to take on the fight, but she will need strong support to do so. With our help she can take this North Dallas seat and get rid of an entrenched incumbent who toes the Republican party line. This is particularly true in the current political landscape where new voters are coming out in record numbers and they are looking for the change in government that Carol Kent will help deliver.
Sherrie Matula (House District 129 – Southeast Harris County)
Sherrie Matula has taken on a tough fight in HD-129, but throughout the campaign so far she has proven she is up for it. Sherrie is working to unseat a 14 year incumbent who despite his time in office is relatively unknown to his constituents. Sherrie has been working hard to educate the voters in her district on her opponent's dismal record on the issues that matter most to them-- including education funding and rising college tuition costs. A former school board member and educator, Sherrie is prepared to jump right in and do something about these issues affecting families in her district.
Voters in this district, like in many around the state, are frustrated with the status quo and are looking for change. They are unhappy with the current legislature and the administration. Sherrie continues to do a great job of positioning herself as someone who will fight to bring about that change. Sherrie is running in a very tough district, but her hard work and determination-- along with the changing political climate in Harris County make this seat a very real possibility for Democrats to flip this cycle.
Diane Trautman (Harris County Tax Assessor Collector)
With 23 years of hands-on experience as a school teacher and public education administrator, Dr. Diane Trautman is a remarkable woman who knows how to keep an establishment with hundreds of employees up and running smoothly.
In 2006, Diane set her sights on the Texas House, running against Republican incumbent Joe Crabb in a district that votes 70% Republican. Diane’s service and remarkable personality resonated with the voters, and she surprised us all by outperforming every other Democrat by ten points.
From that moment, we knew to keep our eye on her! This election cycle, we asked this impressive candidate (who clearly would have a bright political future in the right political race) to run for Harris County Tax Assessor Collector. From her years of service in public school administration, Diane has become an expert on school finance issues and the property tax structure. More importantly, she has seen first-hand how county revenue affects lives.
The incumbent is a partisan politico who has purged tens-of-thousands of people from the rolls every year that tend to be low income and minority voters because they move more often. He positioned himself as the national spokesperson on supposed voter fraud and worked to pass legislation like the Voter-ID bill that would have disenfranchised thousands of low-income, elderly and minority Texans.
In stark contrast, Diane has dedicated her life to empowering individuals, both young and old, and to bringing people together for a common cause. Her passion for, and experience in, unifying a community are the critical skills needed to build a successful, fair voter registration effort – not the incumbent’s passion for exclusion.
Harris County is the last remaining major metropolis we have left to turn blue and is the key to Democrats once again winning statewide races. To ensure every vote is counted, we must have an ethical Tax Assessor Collector committed to bringing voters into the democratic process, rather than excluding them. Dr. Diane Trautman can accomplish this goal and Annie’s List supports her 100%.
Carol Alvarado (House District 145- Houston)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Annie's List endorsed challenger, Carol Alvarado won the Democratic nomination for the open 145th House District seat being vacated by Representative Rick Noriega with more than two-thirds of the primary vote. Alvarado defeated insurance broker Elias de la Garza 69 percent to 30 percent. Alvarado has spent the last 7 years serving on the Houston City Council where she was a tireless advocate for projects that focused on improving the community. She made it her priority to bring together community leaders, civic clubs, and local area business leaders at Saturday morning town hall meetings to discuss key issues facing the Houston's East End. During her tenure, Alvarado was instrumental in the creation of jobs and business opportunities including the revitalization of the central city and the expansion of the Port of Houston. She also served as a leader on emission reductions in the fight to improve Houston's air quality which is ranked as the fifth most polluted in the U.S. In November she is facing real estate investor Patricia Rodriguez, who had no primary challenge giving Rodriguez a head-start on preparing for the general election.
Sandra Rodriguez (House District 36 – McAllen)
Sandra Rodriguez is an extremely impressive woman who has earned the deep respect of her community during more than two decades of professional activism on behalf of those in need, especially women and children. While earning a criminal justice degree in college, she worked for the domestic abuse hotline in Hays County. Later, as a probation officer in McAllen, she dedicated herself to reducing recidivism among teen offenders.
When a ten-year old pregnant girl was added to her probation caseload, Sandra’s life was changed forever, emboldening her to become an agent of change for others. As a member of the local school board in the early nineties, she developed the district’s first teen pregnancy program, which still exists today. Later, she earned a Masters in Education, became a classroom teacher and started the criminal justice education program at Valley View High School to help teens stay out of trouble with the law.
While raising her four children Sandra remained active in the community and local politics. She is well known for her efforts each election to increase voter turnout and for helping to elect good Democrats to key positions in Hidalgo County.
By contrast, Sandra’s primary opponent, Kino Flores (D), is an entrenched incumbent who long ago sold out to the Republican leadership in the Texas House and regularly votes against the interests of his constituents. Not only was he awarded Texas Monthly’s “Dishonorable Mention” title, he failed to show up to the House floor the day the Republican Voter ID bill, intended to disenfranchise minority voters, was passed out of the House on a party line vote.
OUR INCUMBENTS
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - 100% INCUMBENT PROTECTION
Rep. Valinda Bolton (House District 47 – Austin)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
The 2006 race for House District 47 in Austin was an epic battle with eleven candidates entering the race after Republican Rep. Terry Keel (now Speaker Craddick’s parliamentarian and chief consigliere) announced his retirement. Valinda Bolton battled her way through a five-way Democratic primary, a primary run-off and ultimately to a 50.5% victory in the most expensive general election in Legislative history. A staggering $1.9 million was spent by the candidates in the battle for this seat!
Valinda proved her worth in her first session when she took a leadership role on important issues, such as the Texas Youth Commission scandals. Her background in sexual assault prevention made her a leading and respected voice during this crisis and on other issues impacting the safety and well-being of Texans. Of significance, she passed six out of her eighteen pieces of legislation and earned the coveted “Freshman of the Year” award by the Legislative Study Group.
Even with her successes, we know that her 2008 re-election is not to be taken lightly as this district still leans towards the Republicans. Valinda’s opponent is a Republican woman named Donna Keel – the sister-in-law of the former State Representative. Since the session, Valinda has worked diligently to communicate her achievements and to raise the money it will take. Please join us in protecting our hard fought investment in HD-47 and support Rep. Valinda Bolton with your money and time in the coming months.
Rep. Ellen Cohen (House District 134 – Houston)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
State Representative Ellen Cohen took House District 134 by storm in 2006, garnering nearly 56% of the vote in one of the most expensive House races to date. Carrying that momentum into her first session, Ellen fought for legislation to improve public education, health care and air quality, as well as a measure to fund $25 million in sexual assault prevention services.
For 18 of her 31 years in Houston, Ellen was the CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center, which is dedicated to eliminating domestic and sexual violence. A cancer survivor, a widow and a mother of two, Ellen understands that Texas families must be able to afford their property taxes, health insurance and have access to a quality public education.
Ellen’s victory in November, when she will face the winner of the March GOP primary, cannot be taken for granted. We must keep this incredible incumbent in office so she can continue to improve policies impacting women and children. Annie’s List is committed to Ellen and we ask that you do the same.
Rep. Jessica Farrar (House District 148 – Houston)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Rounding out her 13th year as the State Representative for House District 148, Rep. Jessica Farrar has been a champion for Annie’s List issues long before our inception. Jessica was first elected to the House in 1994 at the age of 27, and now in 2008, faces a primary challenge from a candidate with questionable motives and a criminal record.
Jessica serves as the Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and continues to be one of the most vocal critics of Speaker Tom Craddick. She is the founder and Vice-Chair of the Women's Health Caucus, and is also the founder of the House Environmental Caucus. In 2007, Jessica co-founded the Texas Women's Health Foundation, a nonpartisan nonprofit aimed at de-politicizing women's health issues. Raised in Houston, Jessica received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Houston and now is a partner at Farrar Architects, a firm she shares with her father.
Annie’s List unreservedly supports Jessica and will pay careful attention to this race so that Texas woman and children will not lose one of their greatest advocates in the Texas House.
Rep. Veronica Gonzales (House District 41 – McAllen)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Defeating a “Craddick-D” incumbent in April of 2004, Rep. Veronica Gonzales was one of Annie’s List’s earliest successes and has been a force to reckon with ever since. This November she faces a Republican challenger and Rick Perry appointee named Javier Villalobes who has committed to spending $300,000 of his own money.
Never afraid of venturing into the unknown, Veronica was the first in her family to go to college and the first woman to represent House District 41. Veronica served in the Texas Attorney General's Office where she fought to protect consumers from price-fixing and other abuses by insurance companies. She later moved to McAllen to go into private practice and is now a partner at one of the most successful law firms in the Rio Grande Valley (Kittleman, Thomas and Gonzales, LLP) where she works to defend families and small business.
Veronica was a leader during last session’s fight against the Voter ID bill and a champion of CHIP legislation. Throughout her tenure, Veronica has worked to improve the circumstances of her constituents, including those living in poverty-stricken colonias. We must make sure she returns to continue her vital work on behalf of vulnerable Texans.
Rep. Donna Howard (House District 48 – Austin)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
Rep. Donna Howard was elected to the Texas House in February 2006 just before the special sessions on public education finance. She ran unopposed in November 2006 but, this year, she will face a tough re-election campaign against the Republican who wins the March primary, most likely to be a woman who, like Donna, was a school board member.
Donna was born and raised in Austin and has spent her adult life working to help strengthen her community. After earning a master’s degree in health education, she worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals and served as the first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator in Austin history. Donna served on the Eanes ISD board in West Austin from 1996 to 1999, was a co-founder of Advocates for Eanes Schools, a parent organization, and helped start the Texas Education Crisis Coalition, a grassroots group of parents and community leaders.
During the session, Donna co-founded the Legislative Air Quality Caucus and passed legislation to improve healthcare for all Texans. After just one session, Donna emerged as a leader on environmental and healthcare issues and has been recognized by the Sierra Club and the Texas Hospital Association. Please help us protect this powerful advocate in the Texas Legislature.
Rep. Paula Pierson (House District 93 – Arlington)
UPDATE: November 4, 2008 - WIN
On November 8, 2006, Rep. Paula Pierson was the talk of the town after edging out 16-year incumbent Toby Goodman by 587 votes. During the legislative session she stood strong on the key issues of public education and health care. Her reputation as an advocate for children, especially those neglected and abused, was clearly visible during her Committee on Human Services hearings, as well as in legislation she passed.
Despite Paula’s victory, Republicans still consider this to be one of their seats. In fact, Speaker Craddick visited Arlington three times to flush out a candidate against Paula. This November, she will face Republican Bill Burch whose radical right views are cut from the cloth of Tom Craddick and the Republican leadership.
Paula’s past success in this Republican leaning district was due, in a large part, to attracting Republican women crossover voters. While we’re confident that she’s prepared for what lies ahead, this will not be an easy re-election campaign. So she can communicate her successes, as well as build a solid campaign team, we invested early in her re-election bid and sincerely hope you will as well.
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